Free summer activities for kids in Queen Anne, Magnolia

Actors from GreenStage perform works from Shakespeare. This year, GreenStage will have Backyard Bard performances in Queen Anne and Shakespeare in the Park performances at Discovery Park. Photo courtesy of GreenStage/Ken Holmes

Children listen to story time at the library. This summer, the Queen Anne and Magnolia libraries will have story times and other free events for local children. Photo courtesy of Seattle Public Libraries

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Before the kids get bored from inactivity this summer, consider these free, local events geared toward youngsters in Queen Anne and Magnolia.

Queen Anne

The Queen Anne Library (400 W. Garfield St.) has events all summer long. Participate in an event and then take home an exciting new book to read in the sun.

•Mondays — From 6:45 to 7:15 p.m. there’s Pajama Story Time at the Queen Anne Library. The event features stories, songs and crafts. Participants are invited to attend in their pajamas.

•Thursdays — From 11 to 11:30 a.m., there’s a family story at the library. The event is for preschoolers and toddlers and features stories, songs and rhymes.

•Saturday, June 21 — Visit the library from 3 to 4 p.m. for Raptors! Staff from the Woodland Park Zoo will bring a live raptor to teach kids age 4 and older.

•Thursday, July 10 — At 11 a.m. there’s a Firefighter Story Time, in honor of Fire Prevention Month; Fire Chief Gregory Dean will read a story.

•Monday, July 28 — From 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., for Boats Afloat, staff from the Pacific Science Center will help kids make boats from clay. Go to the event to find out if yours will float. Registration is required.

The Seattle Center is always a good spot for kids. From the children’s theater, to the Pacific Science Center, the Space Needle and EMP, there’s a lot to do. Check out these free events.

The Seattle Center Armory (305 Harrison St.) will host numerous free, cultural events this summer. Visit the Iranian Festival on June 28, the Polish Festival on July 12, the Hispanic Seafair Festival on July 27 and BrasilFest on Aug. 17.

For a patriotic celebration, watch 500 people become citizens at a ceremony at 11 a.m. on July 4.

There are also Movies at the Mural, on Saturdays, July 26 through Aug. 23. Please note: Some of the movies are rated PG-13.

Enjoy the Lake Union Wooden Boat Festival from July 4 to 6 at The Center for Wooden Boats (1010 Valley St). There are free boat rides (sign up on the dock), races and boat-building demos. And just for kids, there’s toy boat-building, pirate pond boats and a treasure hunt.

Do the Cheshiahud Challenge at Lake Union Park (860 Terry Ave. N.) at 10 a.m. on July 4. Find local history clues around the Cheshiahud Loop and win prizes. Maps will be available at MOHAI.

Watch theater in David Rodgers Park (2800 First Ave W.) at 7 p.m. on July 26. The play, “Backyard Bard: All’s Well That Ends Well,” is all-ages.

Cool off at the East Queen Anne wading pool (160 Howe St.) on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from noon to 7 p.m., from June 23 through Aug. 17.Or go to the water feature in South Lake Union (860 Terry Ave. N), open until Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.

Check out the Queen Anne Farmers Market (West Crockett Street and Queen Anne Avenue North) for live music and kids’ events every Thursday from 3 to 7:30 p.m. Visit the website for more information on eacg week’s events: qafma.net/about.

Magnolia

The Magnolia Library (2801 34th Ave. W.) has a lot of special events planned for this summer.

•Mondays — There is a Library Play Time from 3 to 5 p.m.

•Wednesdays — There’s a Toddler Story Time from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m. In addition to a story, librarians will present rhymes and songs.

•Thursdays — Preschool Story Time is from 11:15 to 11:45 a.m., featuring those same kid-friendly activities from Toddler Story Time.

•July 3, July 17 and Aug. 14 — Become a mad scientist from 2 to 4 p.m. for the Crafty Science Lab. Experiments are for kids ages 6 to 12.

•Tuesday, July 15 — Bug out at the Insect Safari from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Don Ehlen, who has collected 3,000 insects, will show butterflies, beetles, bees and other insects.

•Wednesday, July 23 — Learn more about the sea with author and songwriter Eric Ode from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Tide Pool Tunes and Fishy Tales event.

•Thursday, July 31 — Use your math skills at Mathblast! Pacific Science Center staff will help kids age 7 and older make colorful chemical reactions using math.

•Thursday, Aug. 7 — Come listen to musician and illustrator Morgan Taylor as she tells you all about Gustafer Yellowgold, who came to Earth from the sun.

Join local experts to visit the tide pools and sea life at Discovery Park on June 28 and 29, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., and again on July 12, from 10 a.m. to noon. Or learn more about the forest surrounding the park on Aug. 3, from 1 to 3 p.m. Pre-register for all events via discovery.park@seattle.gov

Watch Shakespeare in the Park at Discovery Park (3801 W. Government Way). The first performance is “Love’s Labour’s Lost,” at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, followed by “Othello” on Sunday, Aug. 3 at 3 p.m.

The Magnolia Farmers Market (West McGraw Street and 33rd Avenue West) has story time and musicians every Saturday, through Oct. 11. Mark your calendars to visit on July 5 for the Cherry Pit Spit contest and Aug 9 for the Zucchini Car Races.

Beat the heat at the Ballard Commons water feature (5701 22nd Ave. N.W.), open daily until Sept. 1, from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Don’t go hungry this summer: Take part in the City of Seattle’s summer meals program at Denny Park (100 Dexter Ave. N.), weekdays from June 25 to Aug. 22, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. No proof of income is necessary.